BIOCROSSYN · Strengthening enzymatic biomass valorization research via cross-border synergies

The BIOCROSSYN project establishes an international research network dedicated to enzyme-based solutions for addressing plastic waste accumulation and biomass underutilisation. Through a collaborative framework spanning two continents (Europe and South America) and including EU widening countries and outermost region. The consortium integrates molecular architecture and structure, enzymology, and molecular biology to develop high-performance biocatalysts that drive sustainable industrial transformation. The project focuses on three key areas: (1) Enzymatic plastic degradation, enhancing depolymerisation processes to recover monomers for polymer upcycling; (2) Biomass valorisation, optimising multi-step enzymatic cascades to convert organic waste into biofuels and biochemicals; and (3) Chemoenzymatic processes through artificial multi- enzyme cascades and multicatalytic process. A consortium of leading research institutions and industry partners will facilitate structured staff exchanges, interdisciplinary training, and cross-sectoral knowledge transfer, bridging the cap between fundamental research and commercialization, ensuring that enzyme technologies can advance beyond TRL 3-4. BIOCROSSYN’s approach is reinforced by computational enzyme engineering, biophysical characterisation, and high-throughput screening, bridging fundamental enzymology with applied biocatalysis. BIOCROSSYN aligns with the European Green Deal, Horizon Europe’s sustainability objectives, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to resource-efficient biomanufacturing. Beyond scientific impact, the project strengthens global research mobility, fosters new research collaborations, and informs regulatory frameworks for enzyme-based industrial processes, paving the way for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.